We had to advertise it being located three blocks east of the Myriad [now Cox Convention Center] since at the time, very few people even knew that the Bricktown district existed, Brewer said. We drew 18,000 people the first year.

I just feel like I have a debt to pay forward, said Padgett, who volunteers with many ACS programs and has advocated for the cause at the state capitol and in Washington, D.C. I know the funds Im raising today may be a breakthrough 10 years from now.

Party Galaxy certainly gets busier near Halloween, but the Dillons say the bread and butter of their business is party goods. And Mike said even that requires a bit of prognostication and trend spotting.